A former University of Kentucky assistant police chief has sued the school, saying she was ordered to talk an officer into dismissing a citation against a senior school administrator and forced out when she refused.
Stephanie Bastin's lawsuit said she was "compelled to leave" and "wrongfully discharged from her employment." The university says Bastin retired Feb. 28.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Fayette County Circuit Court, names the board of trustees and UK Associate Vice President Ken Clevidence, who oversees the police department.
Bastin said she was "commanded" by Clevidence to persuade the officer to dismiss the citation. The lawsuit does not reveal the name of the administrator who received the citation or the officer who issued it.
She refused to try to get the officer to dismiss the citation because doing so would have violated state law, according to the lawsuit.
"Her refusal was a motivating factor in the termination of her employment," the lawsuit said.
Clevidence was out of the office and could not be reached for comment, according to his secretary. UK spokesman Jay Blanton declined to discuss the lawsuit because it is pending.
The woman's attorney, Robert Abell, did not return phone messages.
Bastin had been employed at the university for about 30 years before retiring, Blanton said. She was earning $71,340 a year.
Bastin is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, back pay, attorney fees and other expenses.